#IWSG day is the day for The Snowman blog tour--my guest, Yolanda Renee! 10 Top Warning Signs for dodgy publishers. And 5 things NOT to do when publishing your book.

Hi Yolanda. After that gory introduction above, welcome to my blog today. Today, it's IWSG day, but on my blog, it's all about you. I'm beyond thrilled you've decided to go with this hot button issue which I know has caused you a truckload of insecurity over many months. The best we can hope for is that this cautionary tale will prevent other authors falling into the trap.

The IWSG is Alex J Cavanaugh's dream child. His awesome co-hosts for the May 3 posting of the IWSG are Nancy Gideon, Tamara Narayan, Liesbet @ Roaming About, Michelle Wallace, and Feather Stone!Thanks Alex and ladies. Readers, please visit them if you can.


Top 10 warning signs your publisher is probably dodgy.
Don't get mad, get even.1.     Professional edits are not performed.2.     Proofreadsare not completed.3.     Book signings are not scheduled.4.    News releases are not released.5.     Correspondenceis not answered.6.     Promised markets are not delivered.7.    Continuous excuses are made.8.     Staff changes constantly.Today, anyone can open a business, even a publishing business. It only takes minutes to get an EIN - Employer Identification Number. This is required in the US to open a business – it’s different for each country.And if you have the patience for formatting you can publish your book, or someone else’s book – Amazon makes it simple! I reissued all three of my formerly published books, after regaining the rights, on Amazon as a Kindle, and then as a paperback in one week! Note: I had experience with self-publishing and knew the process. But Amazon gives explicit instructions, and anyone can do it!If you can do this, you can become a publisher, and sadly, this is what is happening daily. Many new publishers are popping up overnight, and with just these simple skills they can take 50 to 60% of your profits – royalties, and give you pennies on the dollar – deducting for so called edits, proofreading, cover design, etc.!Anyone can apply to Ingram Spark and other book release sites. These steps are simple and while time consuming – once learned, very simple.The point – anyone can open a publishing company, and many have. The list above is just a small sample of the things that can go wrong when the company is only in the business to make as much money off a novice writer as possible.If a company has opened its doors overnight – you may get a professional looking contract, but if the actions on that contract aren’t followed, you have a piece of paper and nothing more.My advice, learn the process, self-publish at least one book on Amazon and see for yourself how simple it really is. This is eye opening and empowering. Good luck!
I would be happy to discuss my personal experiences further with any of you.  Contact me: yolandarenee@hotmail.com
Top 5 things not to do when releasing a new book.
1.     Do Not Decide to Sell your house!2.     Do Not Sign up for the A to Z Challenge.3.     Do Not Re-publish your first 3 books in a week.4.     Do Not Hold two - 3-day long garage sales to get rid of all your crap.5.     Do Not Schedule a blog book tour covering 30 days that require your undivided attention and multiple guest posts!
Yes, I did all this during the month of April. Believe me – you DON’T want to follow my lead!
Denise, thank you for hosting me during the Snowman tour. Readers, thank you for coming by and reading. I hope I've helped someone who might be going through what I did.
A NOTE FROM DENISE: I was disappointed to see the website, Predators and Editors virtually closed down. Where do writers go for updates on dodgy publishers now?? Anyone??
Denise's review: 

If you don't mind sending your heart rate sky high, if you don't mind trying to read with your eyes closed, if you don't mind feeding blood-fuelled nightmares, The Snowman is the book for you. 
At the other end of the spectrum, if you like a roller-coaster ride of mega proportions, if you like a fast-paced psychological thriller, if you like to delve into the criminal mind, this is the book for you. 
Excellent racy writing by the author, Yolanda Renee. Well edited - don't those two words bring joy to my heart!
 A joy to read, even with your eyes closed...oh, and I think there's an audio book coming just in case...

And there's more...

There's a GIVEAWAY you can enter, HERE...open until June 6.

Should you love The Snowman, Yolanda has 3 books in the Detective Quaid series she's recently republished on Amazon.



HERE is a link to ALL OF HER BOOKS!
THE SNOWMAN TOUR CALENDAR
May 1 –  Juneta  @ Writer’s Gambit  – Author Guest Post
May 2 –  Romance Under Fire  – Review & Excerpt

May 4 –  The Silver Dagger Scriptorium  – Excerpt & Author Guest Post
May 5 –  Julie Flanders, Writer  – Excerpt
May 8 –  Alex J. Cavanaugh  – Top 10 List
                   Christine Rains – Writer  – Author Guest Post
May 9 –  Mello & June, It’s a Book Thang  – Feature
May 10 –  Pat Hatt Books  – Author Q&A
May 11 –  A Bluestocking’s Place  – Feature
May 12 –  Lexa Cain  – Feature                   Elizabeth Seckman, Author – Author Guest Post

May 15 –  Just Us Book Blog  – Excerpt                   Writers & Authors – Author Guest Post

May 16 –  Reading for the Stars and Moon  – Excerpt
May 17 –  Pat Garcia Book Reviews  – Review
May 18 –  The Bookworm Chronicles  – Excerpt & Feature
May 19 –  I Think; Therefore, I Yam  – Interview with Stowy
May 22 –  The Five Year Project  – Author Guest Post
May 24 –  Bound 2 Escape  – Excerpt
May 25 –  Reviews by Crystal  – Author Q&A
May 26 –  J Bronder Book Reviews  – Review
May 29 –  FUONLYKNEW  – Review
May 30 – Mason Canyon
May 31 –  Celticlady’s Reviews  – Excerpt
June 1 –  bookworm1102  – Excerpt
                   Scattergun Scribblings  – Author Guest Post                    Rainy Day Reviews – Review & Excerpt

June 2 –  Cheryl’s Book Nook  – Review                    Libby Heily – Review & Excerpt
Thanks for coming by today!
Has your publisher ever let you down?Have you read any of Yolanda's thrillers?